'We pray for God to help you': Reactions to military take-over in Egypt

Protesters against Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi celebrate in Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 3, 2013. Egypt's armed forces overthrew elected Islamist President Morsi on Wednesday and announced a political transition with the support of a wide range of political and religious leaders.Mohamed Abd El Ghany, Reuters

On Wednesday, when Egypt’s military announced Mohammed Morsi was no longer president of Egypt after failing to meet the demands of the protesters, reactions poured in from the streets of Cairo and around the world.

"The people and the army are one hand," protesters cheered in Tahrir square, the crucible of the ongoing revolution.

But President Barack Obama said he was "deeply concerned" by the military's actions, was not calling the move a coup.

And a senior Muslim Brotherhood politician in Egypt said the Islamist group had no intention of using violence to regain power.

"There is absolutely no direction towards violence. The Brotherhood are not raised on violence. Their cause is a peaceful one, defending their rights, which is stronger than a military coup," Gamal Heshmat told Reuters by telephone.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the upheaval in Egypt was a loss for political Islam.

"Whoever brings religion to use in politics or in favor of one group at the expense of another will fall anywhere in the world … The summary of what is happening in Egypt is the fall of what is called political Islam," Assad told the an Arabic language newspaper, according to an official Facebook page.

Yet King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia sent a message of congratulations to the newly-appointed Egyptian interim President, Adly Mansour.

"In the name of the people of Saudi Arabia and on my behalf, we congratulate your leadership of Egypt in this critical period of its history. We pray for God to help you bear the responsibility laid upon you to achieve the ambitions of our brotherly people of Egypt," the message said, according to Saudi news site Al Arabiya.

The United Arab Emirates also welcomed the change in Egypt, according to state news agency WAM, and praised the Egyptian armed forces.

"His Highness Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the Foreign Minister of the UAE, expressed his full confidence that the great people of Egypt are able to cross these difficult moments that Egypt is going through," WAM said the foreign minister said in a statement.

"Sheikh Abdullah said that the great Egyptian army was able to prove again that they are the fence of Egypt and that they are the protector and strong shield that guarantee Egypt will remain a state of institutions and law," WAM added.

Meanwhile, the British Foreign Secretary released a statement advising caution.

"The situation is clearly dangerous and we call on all sides to show restraint and avoid violence,” the statement read. “The United Kingdom does not support military intervention as a way to resolve disputes in a democratic system. The chance of a democratic future was hard won for Egypt by the Egyptian people two and a half years ago. But looking forward, we call on all parties to show the leadership and vision needed to restore and renew Egypt's democratic transition.”

"I urge all sides to rapidly return to the democratic process,” EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement. "I strongly condemn all violent acts … and urge the security forces to do everything in their power to protect the lives and well-being of Egyptian citizens."

Ashton said the EU was, "unequivocally committed to supporting the Egyptian people in their aspirations to democracy and inclusive governance.”